Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances

I have to leave the pack.

This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.

I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.

"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.

I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.

My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.

I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.

My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.

"What are you doing here?"

Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.

All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.

"How are you doing, Grace?"

His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.

"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.

Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."

A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."

"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."

"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."

of his eyes. My lack of submission must anger his wolf,

cut him off, wishing my words came out with more scorn and less trembling. "I don't want to

and earth and everything I once

heavy and undeniable. Making

sends sparks racing

miss you," he

a moment, I let myself believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel

hand away. "You don't get to miss me. You don't get to come in

do care!" Rafe's voice rises, and I flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are different now, but that doesn't mean I've stopped caring

situation, leaving me with no way to express how I feel. So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new

before it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight, not letting me go. "I'll talk to Ellie. I'll make sure she

just about how Ellie treats me. It's

can't go against my mate,

anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What do

hand cups my cheek, and I hate the way I lean into

heartbeat, I'm tempted. To give in, to let him kiss me, to pretend that nothing has changed.

I hate him.

miss

everything. I dreamed of a future with him. I loved

scrambling out of bed. "Get

"Grace—"

me. The temptation of the familiar is terrifying. "You don't

face hardens, that alpha presence I once found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're

"No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong to

amber fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He steps forward,

are mine," he insists, resting a hand on the wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me.

against my jaw in a

not the Rafe

He wanted me to be

ever claim to own

My demands downgrade to pleas. "I just want to be left alone. If Ellie finds

to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I

not stupid. She'll

in to kiss me, but I get my hand between our lips just in time. My heart races at the anger darkening his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll make it okay.

against my hand, in soft, sensual kisses that only make my skin

mistake, Grace. But I'm going to get you back.

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